A military operation killed ten members of an alleged terrorist cell at a well-known tourist attraction in central Egypt, according to an army statement published on its spokesman's official Facebook page.
The army used commandos, the airforce and anti-terrorism police in the operation on Monday at the Bahariya Oasis, the statement said, quoted by Al-Ahram Online.
It said the army uncovered the cell based on "accurate intelligence information". The operation operation is part of a major anti-terrorism offensive, now in its 15th day, according to the statement.
The alleged jihadist cell was planning attacks against key targets and foreign interests during the Eid holiday from Wednesday through Sunday, the statement added.
One militant in the cell was injured in Monday's operation and was taken into custody, according to the statement.
The Bahariya Oasis is popular with visitors who want to explore nearby attractions such as the White and Black Desert. It is located around 365 kilometres south-west of Cairo.
Last week, eight Mexican tourists and four Egyptians were killed in the Western Desert, close to the Bahariya Oasis, by a joint police-military force that mistook them for militants.
Security officials said the tourists were in unlicensed jeeps in a "restricted area" and have promised a full investigation.
Egypt's army has been fighting a decade-long militant insurgency in North Sinai province that has spiked in the last two years.
Security forces have also warned of militant activity in other parts of the country, particularly in the Western Desert which covers much of western Egypt.
The vast area, in which the White Desert is located, has been exploited by Islamist militants due to its proximity to volatile and lawless Libya.
At least 21 Egyptian soldiers were killed in July last year when gunmen attacked a military checkpoint in the New Valley Governorate in the Western Desert, Al-Ahram reported.
